Ellensburg woman surprised home survived wildfire

Shannon Cogan can't believe her home survived the wildfire last month that destroyed about four-dozen homes between Ellensburg and Cle Elum.

She saw neighbors' homes in flames Aug. 13 as she fled with her dog and cat in her motor home from her property northwest of Ellensburg.

She told Daily Record she could feel the heat through her windshield.

When she was able to return three days later she found her double-wide still standing. But a well pump house and two other out buildings were destroyed. Her snowmobiles on a trailer in the driveway were melted.

Cogan believes neighbors helped save her home. She had been thinking of moving, but now she says it would be difficult to move away from close friends who were looking out for her.